Welcome to this week's edition of our e-letter,
Presbytery Matters. Our goal is to highlight things going on throughout the Church: within our Presbytery, in our congregations, as well as in the Synod of the Northeast and across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We hope that these are things that will be helpful, informative, challenging, encouraging, supportive. In other words, we hope that these things will matter. Your input is valued, and your comments are always welcomed.

Mission Stories

Do You Need PRAYERS?

Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church adds mailbox for community members to request prayers

Hundreds of community members drive into the Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church's parking lot each month to drop off unwanted clothing in the church's clothing shed. Now those donating are asked a question.

Do you need prayer?

Doug Miller and Don Faber-Langendoen, of the Syracuse church, added the prayer request box last month and asked church members to join the "Mailbox Prayer Team."

The task is simple: Pray for those who need it.

The prayer box, which is located next to the church's clothing shed, contains a small clipboard with a card that allows someone to write a prayer request.

"We're hoping it helps those in our neighborhood who need prayer," Miller and Faber-Langendoen said.

_____________________________________________________________

We want to hear about the mission stories from our Presbytery's worshiping communities. What mission work are you involved in? How are your members working in the community? What story would you like to share with others in the Presbytery?

Send any mission stories from your congregation that you would like to share to:
CaySyrNews@gmail.com.

Deadline is 12 p.m. on Wednesdays for the current week's edition of
Presbytery Matters.

We want to share your stories, missions, activities and more. Also, make sure to like our Facebook page by clicking the "Like us on Facebook" tab at the top of this letter.

Joys and Concerns around the Presbytery

In our prayers together this week...

Pray for the Arvidson family. The Rev. Ebbe Arvidson, former pastor at the Collamer United Church, died on Dec. 15.

Pray for all those who are facing the holiday season without a loved one. The first Christmas after a death of a family member or friend is extremely difficult. Please be with these people to comfort them and to feel the joy in the season -- to see the light in the darkness.

In the cycle of prayer for our Presbytery, please pray for these congregations, faith communities, and individuals: Isaiah's Table, Syracuse; Korean Church of Syracuse; Park Central, Syracuse; Robinson Elmwood United Church, Syracuse; South Valley, Syracuse

If you'd like to share a particular joy or concern with the Presbytery, please contact: CaySyrNews@gmail.com.

Photo of the Week

LaFayette Columbian Presbyterian Church is blooming with Christmas joy. See more from the church on the its Facebook page.

To have your photo considered for
"Photo of the Week," post it to your church's Facebook page and
tag the Presbytery of Cayuga Syracuse's
Facebook page.

The expectation of joy in the Christmas season can overshadow the pain and hurt many experience during this season, when the world's merriment puts their grief and sorrow in stark relief. One of the gifts that Westminster offers to its members, friends and the community is a service that acknowledges that Christmas can be both a time of pain and a time of hope. The Service of the Longest Night takes place on the longest night of the year, Dec. 21. It is a time to recognize, in the midst of all the gaiety of the holidays, that many are experiencing loss, darkness and doubt. The hope offered in the Service of the Longest Night is that in every succeeding day there will be a little more light. Guests of the Service of the Longest Night will hear a message of hope, expressed in the light which came to live among us in the form of a baby called Emmanuel "God with us."

_________________________________________________________

What: Charity Holiday Concert

When: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21

Where: First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia at 27 Albany St., in Cazenovia

All money raised will go to Golisano Children's Hospital.

Around the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Remote Alaskan church thrives amid challenges

God knows no barriers

by Tammy Warren

Presbyterians Today

The Rev. Joseph Reid has had two unique calls from God to preach at two historic churches with one big difference - the view.

"My office window at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, looked out on the overflow parking area for the church," Reid said. "From my office in Utqiagvik, I can see the Arctic Ocean."

Reid, who was born and raised in South Carolina, said his transition from a predominantly African-American congregation in Alabama to a mostly Iñupiaq congregation in Alaska has been virtually "seamless." Of course, he's noticed the change in temperatures from Birmingham to Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), the northernmost city in the United States. He's also noticed the ice, the wind and the snow - in July. Still, none of these differences troubled him.

MONROVIA, Liberia - Outgoing moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Liberia, the Rev. Sando Townsend, has invited the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to walk alongside the Presbyterian Church of Liberia, and U.S. church leaders are taking him up on his offer.

In early December, a delegation from Presbyterian World Mission, including a co-moderator of the 2018 General Assembly, the Rev. Cindy Kohlmann; Presbyterian Mission Agency president and executive director the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett; and a representative of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus, ruling elder Dianne Wright, visited the Presbyterian Church of Liberia to explore the possibility of re-establishing a mission partnership. The delegation also included World Mission's associate directors, Rev. Philip Woods and Tamron Keith; Debbie Braaksma, World Mission's Africa-area coordinator; and the Rev. Joshua Heikkila, regional liaison for West Africa.

The delegation heard about plans to reach out to the indigenous ethnic groups of Liberia, who comprise about 95 percent of the population, and to establish a Liberian Presbyterian University, with programs geared to educating teachers and health workers. The church dreams of being at the forefront of efforts to provide leadership and service for the country of Liberia.